Inklingo

How to Say "silly" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “silly” is “tonto” — use 'tonto' for general, lighthearted foolishness or when describing something as not serious, like a silly joke.

tonto🔊A2

Use 'tonto' for general, lighthearted foolishness or when describing something as not serious, like a silly joke.

Learn more →
bobo🔊A2

Use 'bobo' to describe someone who is playfully foolish or lighthearted, often in a good-natured way.

Learn more →
estúpidasA2

Use 'estúpidas' when 'silly' implies something is foolish or nonsensical, often with a slightly more negative or critical tone than 'tonto' or 'bobo'.

Learn more →
locas🔊A2

Use 'locas' to describe people acting in a foolish, wild, or overly enthusiastic way, often implying a lack of control or reason.

Learn more →
ganso🔊B1

Use 'ganso' for someone acting like a clown or a fool, often in a way that is intentionally silly or disruptive.

Learn more →
necio🔊B1

Use 'necio' when someone is acting stubbornly foolish or thoughtlessly, often implying a lack of sense or reason.

Learn more →
infantil🔊B1

Use 'infantil' when 'silly' specifically means childish or lacking seriousness and maturity.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

tonto

TON-tohˈtonto

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'tonto' for general, lighthearted foolishness or when describing something as not serious, like a silly joke.
A young character standing indoors holding an open umbrella while sunlight streams through a window, illustrating a silly or foolish moment.

Examples

Fue una broma tonta, pero todos nos reímos.

It was a silly joke, but we all laughed.

No seas tonto, claro que puedes hacerlo.

Don't be silly, of course you can do it.

Me siento tonta por haber olvidado las llaves.

I feel foolish for having forgotten the keys.

Matching the Noun

Like many describing words in Spanish, 'tonto' changes to match the person or thing it's describing. Use 'tonto' for masculine things ('el niño tonto') and 'tonta' for feminine things ('la idea tonta'). For groups, use 'tontos' or 'tontas'.

Forgetting to Change the Ending

Mistake: “La chica es tonto.”

Correction: Say 'La chica es tonta.' Describing words almost always need to match the gender (masculine/feminine) of the noun they describe.

bobo

BOH-bohˈboβo

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'bobo' to describe someone who is playfully foolish or lighthearted, often in a good-natured way.
A child giggling while wearing a brightly colored, oversized sock on their head like a hat, illustrating lighthearted silliness.

Examples

Mi hermano es muy bobo; siempre se ríe de sus propios chistes.

My brother is very silly; he always laughs at his own jokes.

No seas tan boba y revisa el contrato antes de firmar.

Don't be so foolish and check the contract before signing.

Fue una idea muy boba salir sin paraguas cuando estaba lloviendo.

It was a very silly idea to go out without an umbrella when it was raining.

Adjective Agreement

'Bobo' must change its ending to match the person it describes: 'bobo' for males and 'boba' for females. Use 'bobos' or 'bobas' for groups.

Confusing Ser and Estar

Mistake: “Using 'estar bobo'.”

Correction: Use 'ser bobo' (to be a silly person in general). You only use 'estar' if someone is temporarily stunned or dazed: 'Estaba bobo después del golpe' (He was dazed after the hit).

estúpidas

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'estúpidas' when 'silly' implies something is foolish or nonsensical, often with a slightly more negative or critical tone than 'tonto' or 'bobo'.

Examples

Tus excusas son realmente estúpidas, no te creo.

Your excuses are really stupid, I don't believe you.

locas

LOH-kahsˈlo.kas

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'locas' to describe people acting in a foolish, wild, or overly enthusiastic way, often implying a lack of control or reason.
A colorful storybook illustration showing two cartoon women with wild, messy hair and mismatched outfits, dancing erratically and laughing hysterically, symbolizing the state of being irrational.

Examples

Mis hermanas están locas por el chocolate.

My sisters are crazy about chocolate.

Las ideas que sugirieron eran demasiado locas para el proyecto.

The ideas they suggested were too crazy for the project.

¿Por qué tienes esas caras tan locas?

Why do you have those such wild looks on your faces?

Agreement is Key

Since 'locas' describes feminine plural nouns (like 'chicas' or 'ideas'), it must end in '-as' to match the gender and number.

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “Las chicas son locos.”

Correction: Las chicas son locas. (The adjective must match the feminine noun 'chicas'.)

ganso

GAHN-soˈɡanso

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'ganso' for someone acting like a clown or a fool, often in a way that is intentionally silly or disruptive.
A person wearing a bright multicolored hat with bells and large oversized shoes, juggling colorful balls.

Examples

¡No seas ganso! Deja de decir tonterías.

Don't be silly! Stop talking nonsense.

Ese chico es un poco ganso, siempre está haciendo bromas.

That boy is a bit of a clown, he's always making jokes.

Se quedó ahí parado como un ganso sin hacer nada.

He just stood there like a lazy fool doing nothing.

Using it as a Noun

Even though it is an adjective, you can use it like a noun by saying 'un ganso' (a silly guy) or 'una gansa' (a silly girl).

Translation Trap

Mistake: “Saying 'él es un ganso' when you mean he is mean.”

Correction: 'Ganso' usually implies someone is silly or lazy, not necessarily mean or evil.

necio

NEH-syohˈnesjo

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'necio' when someone is acting stubbornly foolish or thoughtlessly, often implying a lack of sense or reason.
A person trying to water a plant with an empty watering can while standing in the rain.

Examples

No seas necio, sabes que eso no es verdad.

Don't be foolish, you know that isn't true.

Fue una pregunta necia y nadie quiso responder.

It was a silly question and nobody wanted to answer.

A veces los jóvenes cometen errores necios por falta de experiencia.

Sometimes young people make foolish mistakes due to lack of experience.

Describing vs. Acting

Use 'ser necio' to describe someone who is generally a foolish person. Use 'estar necio' to describe someone who is just acting foolishly or being annoying in this specific moment.

Matching the Person

Even though the word ends in 'o', it must change to 'necia' if you are describing a girl or a woman.

The 'Nasty' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'necio' to mean 'nasty' (mean).”

Correction: Use 'desagradable' or 'malo' for 'nasty'. 'Necio' is about being silly or stubborn, not about being mean.

infantil

een-fahn-TEELin.fanˈtil

adjectiveB1
Use 'infantil' when 'silly' specifically means childish or lacking seriousness and maturity.
An illustration of an adult person sitting on the ground, arms crossed, pouting and looking frustrated, symbolizing childish or immature behavior.

Examples

No seas infantil, compórtate como un adulto.

Don't be childish; behave like an adult.

Tuvimos una discusión muy infantil sobre quién usaría el control remoto.

We had a very silly argument about who would use the remote control.

Su excusa era tan infantil que nadie la creyó.

His excuse was so childish that no one believed it.

Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

When describing someone's typical personality, use 'ser' (e.g., 'Él es infantil'). If describing a temporary behavior, you might use 'estar' (e.g., 'Hoy estás muy infantil').

Tonto vs. Bobo vs. Estúpido

Learners often confuse 'tonto', 'bobo', and 'estúpido'. While 'tonto' and 'bobo' are generally lighthearted, 'estúpido' carries a more negative connotation of genuine foolishness or stupidity. Use 'estúpido' carefully as it can be insulting.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.